Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Required introductory class on Jan. 10 at 5:30 p.m. in Warren
Beaumont Health is offering “Living With Ease After Cancer,” formerly known as Silver Linings, to both male and female cancer survivors beginning in January. The free, nine class series offered in Warren, teaches meditation, gentle yoga, mindful eating and communication skills to cancer survivors.
The curriculum, called mindfulness-based stress reduction, or MBSR, has been scientifically shown to strengthen the immune system and decrease:
- inflammation
- fear of recurrence
- cancer-related symptoms
While there is no charge to participate in the program, space is limited and registration is required. Registration is open to all cancer survivors, regardless of where they received treatment for their cancer. All interested men and women must attend an introductory class Jan. 10 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Beaumont Medical Center, 8545 Common Road in Warren. The series of classes will meet at the same location Tuesdays from Jan. 24 until March 7 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. A day-long retreat held Sunday, March 5 is an important part of the program.
Participants must be 18 years or older and have completed their cancer treatments. Those interested in the program should call 248-551-5454 or contact LivingWithEaseAfterCancer@beaumont.org.
The program has been offered 41 times since its inception in 2005. The winter 2017 session will include a select group of physician participants who want to learn stress reduction tools for the benefit of their patients and themselves.
The classes are taught by Ruth Lerman, M.D., a 22-year cancer survivor and certified MBSR instructor. Participants will receive meditation and yoga recordings to facilitate their home practice.
A research team led by Drs. Lerman and Robert Jarski from Oakland University completed a randomized, controlled study of Silver Linings in September 2010. Their work was published in the September 2011 Annals of Surgical Oncology.
“Our research has shown program participants experience an improved quality of life,” Dr. Lerman said. “Participants in the study improved in psychological symptoms and cancer symptoms. Our research has been frequently cited in subsequent studies of mindfulness training of cancer survivors.”
About Beaumont’s Cancer Program
Beaumont’s comprehensive cancer program combines the expertise of surgical, medical and radiation oncologists to offer cancer prevention counseling, diagnosis and treatment in hospital and community-based settings. The Beaumont Cancer Institute is one of only 34 community sites in the U.S. to be awarded a five-year National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program grant. Beaumont is designated as a Blue Cross Center of Distinction for the Treatment of Rare and Complex Cancers.